a short break route

Departing south from our base, you pass through the Preston Brook Tunnel [1239 yds] and Dutton stop lock. The tunnel marks the boundary between the Bridgewater and Trent & Mersey canals.

By the stop lock a dry dock was built to maintain
the tunnel tugs that pulled the horse drawn boats through the tunnel.
The canal passes through Dutton woods to emerge on a hillside overlooking the valley of the Weaver. At Acton bridge there are pubs that serve meals lunchtime and evening and after further wooded areas the canal reaches two tunnels at Saltisford and Barnton with a beautiful pool between them that overlooks Saltisford locks on the river Weaver.

At Anderton the boat lift (restored in 2002) carries boats from the Weaver up 50ft to the canal level. There are nice overnight moorings, a local pub serving meals and a local shop. The lift has a visitor centre and trips can be taken on a passenger boat passing up or down the lift. Just past Anderton marina there is a water & rubbish disposal point.

Then canal now swings away from the river passing to the east of Northwich before reaching open country again. There are several “Flashes” lakes formed when the land subsided due to salt extraction. There are tranquil moorings here.

On reaching Middlewich the first lock is a wide one that two narrowboats can share. The route was partly built for wide boats and old wharves (that are now good overnight moorings)
line the canal through this attractive small town.

Three narrow locks now take us up to a junction with “The shortest canal in the country” - The Wardle Canal; which runs from the junction to the first lock “Wardle lock” in a few yards. Turning left onto this canal we join the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union climbing through 4 locks in 10 miles
of countryside to reach Barbridge. There are fine views on either side in this stretch which is totally rural.
Above the lock a short distance along there is a water point.

At Barbridge junction turn left where there are two fine pubs serving meals and plenty of
visitor moorings. Water and services are also available and a short distance further a turning point.

DISTANCE: Claymoore to Middlewich 16 miles 5 locks
Middlewich to Barbridge 9.5 miles 3 locks
TIMES: to Middlewich plan for 7 hours
Middlewich / Barbridge plan for 5 hours
WEEKEND SHORT BREAK = MIDDLEWICH & RETURN
MID WEEK SHORT BREAK = BARBRIDGE & RETURN